Creating plug-ins (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

If you are a C or C++ programmer and familiar with advanced calculations in FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can create external function plug-ins that extend the feature set of the applications. The plug-ins can take advantage of recursion and looping or hook into other programming interfaces. Users can enable your plug-ins in FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker Server Advanced and use your external functions in their calculation fields and scripts.

You can use FileMaker Server to ensure that FileMaker Pro clients always have the most current plug-in software installed on their computers. See the FileMaker Server Guide to Updating Plug-Ins, available at www.filemaker.com/documentation.

The FileMaker Pro Advanced CD or electronic download includes an example plug-in project that you can modify to include your own external functions. Users can access your plug-ins through the Specify Calculation dialog box.

Follow these general steps to prepare your custom plug-ins:

1.	Edit the example plug-in files to add your custom programming code.

2.	Compile and test the customized plug-in.

3.	Install the compiled plug-in file for your users.

To access your external functions, users follow these steps:

1.	Enable your plug-in through the Preferences dialog box.

2.	Configure your plug-in, if required.

3.	Define or edit a calculation field.

4.	In the Specify Calculation dialog box, choose Function_Name(parameter 1 ...) as the calculation formula.

To see all external functions, select External functions from the View list.

For detailed information on developing third-party plug-ins, see the FileMaker Pro Advanced Development Guide, available at www.filemaker.com/documentation.

Note FileMaker Pro Advanced may not be available in all of the shipping languages of FileMaker Pro.